A video that surfaced online showing armed Libyan factions associated with the Stability Support Agency, under the Libyan Presidential Council, issuing threats to invade Tunisian cities has elicited widespread denouncement.
This development occurred shortly after the group arrived at the Ras Jedir border crossing, leading to a significant uproar among the Tunisian public and swift condemnation from Libyan officials.
In the video circulated on social media, military vehicles adorned with the Stability Support Agency’s insignia were seen near the border, with armed individuals in uniform threatening an incursion into Tunisian territories, specifically targeting the cities of Gabes and Ben Gardane.
This aggressive rhetoric sparked immediate concern and outrage in Tunisia, with citizens viewing these actions as blatant disrespect and a direct threat to their sovereignty.
Sharafeddine Ben Ali, a prominent voice on social media, responded with a powerful rebuke on Facebook, characterizing the threats as a humiliating assault on the Tunisian people and akin to a declaration of war, calling for accountability for the aggressors to uphold Tunisian dignity.
Another activist, Hanan Belgith, lamented the chaotic state of Libya, fragmented by various armed factions, and affirmed Tunisia’s resilience in the face of such threats.
The Tunisian backlash reached Libyan officials, prompting the Stability Support Agency to issue a stern condemnation of the video’s inflammatory statements on Saturday evening.
The agency distanced itself from the actions and words of the individuals in the video, emphasizing that such reprehensible conduct not only strains the historic ties between Libya and Tunisia but also contradicts the core values of Islam and the region’s ethical standards. They are not representative of the Libyan people or their official stance.
Furthermore, the Stability Support Agency is committed to implementing necessary measures against those involved, under national laws and legal statutes.
This incident underscores the precarious security situation at the Libyan-Tunisian border and the potential for escalated tensions between the neighboring countries.
The quick denunciation by Libyan authorities of the threats against Tunisia underscores the significance of diplomatic relations and the need for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
It reflects a keen awareness of the importance of addressing such provocations to preserve the longstanding fraternal ties between Libya and Tunisia amidst the broader context of North African regional security.
